From Tavush to Berkeley. Help Tigran's 2nd Year

Hello Dear! I'm Tigran, and I ask you to spend just five minutes reading my testimony. And I hope it assures you that chasing your dreams is always worth it, no matter how impossible they seem.

Since the tragic war of 2020, the feeling that I am living the life that so many young men did not get to live has become a burden so heavy that there was no other option but to set my goals BIG. I decided that I had to get my education from the top universities in the world and I became so ambitious that I could not see the impossibility of my goal. I spent the next three years preparing for the impossible.

And guess what? By the grace of God, I accomplished the impossible! I'm now a sophomore at the University of California, Berkeley, the No. 1 public university in the world, majoring in political science. This will prepare the way for me to become the best lawyer and represent my motherland in the best way. This incredible journey was made possible thanks to you my beloved people: my parents, my family, my friends, and my fellow Armenians. It was YOU who believed in my goals, YOU who believed in my passion, and YOU who believed in me as the man who promised to make a great impact through education.

In August 2023, I achieved a massive milestone by becoming the first high school graduate from the Tavush region of Armenia to attend UC Berkeley. This opportunity has been a game-changer, setting me toward a career in public international law and policy-making. I'm especially passionate about researching the policy-making of different countries to find the best and most sustainable ones for my own country, recognizing its critical role in shaping Armenia's future, particularly in rural areas. Given the complexities of international relations, I have become convinced of the need for Armenia to adopt proactive and strategic policies. While many nations resort to reactive politics, I am determined to contribute to a more informed and assertive approach, working day and night to ensure that Armenia's voice is heard in global decision-making processes.

My first year at UC Berkeley was just AMAZING. Academically and socially, it was indeed one of the best first experiences I had in my entire life. Despite the initial challenges of adjusting to a new culture and educational landscape, I made strong connections and friendships with peers from around the world. And let me tell you something. Almost ALL of them were very keen and would use any opportunity to learn about my culture and my country. At the same time, I myself absorbed as much knowledge and experience as I could to serve my community.

Enhancing the modern understanding of national identity and raising awareness within the global multicultural society is vital. My commitment to this endeavor led me to immerse myself in the Armenian Students' Association, where I eventually took on the role of cultural chair. This position allows me to collaboratively devise strategies aimed at making students aware of the cultural richness and uniqueness of our nation and encouraging them to participate in celebrating them. You can imagine what a delight it is to see the amazed faces of foreigners learning about our rich history. The people who do not even know where our country is on the map but cannot wait to visit here. That is a great achievement for me, and even objectively one of the greatest achievements that I could get from my experience.

Your support has been a crucial part of my journey, and I am infinitely grateful for it. I continue to strive for excellence to bring immense changes to my community. And now, once again, I have come to my beloved people. I ask for your support. Your investment to my education is an investment to the future of Armenia. And I promise you, that investment is so tiny compared to what the final results will be for each and every one of you. I will not disappoint you, I will not break my promise. My testimony proves that every contribution, no matter how small, makes an inconceivable difference. Together, we can achieve even more, breaking walls, paying it forward, and preparing a way for the rest to follow.

My gratitude to you will be shown in my works. Inspiring each other and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible brings us one step closer to a better world, a brighter tomorrow, and a greater Armenia.